Abstract:
The project described in this thesis was based on a literature review and an action
research plan. The intervention involved a student response system and peer instruction
in three of my ninth grade physical science classes. The intervention took place over two
units of study. For the first unit, one class had the intervention and two did not. The ones
that did not have the intervention in the first unit had it in the second unit. Surveys
regarding student attitude were given before and after the study. Unit test scores were
also evaluated. Test scores for groups using the intervention during unit two improved
when compared to unit one. There also was an improvement in student attitudes towards
the subject and the class. Findings from this study were shared with the students and the
members of my department. As a result of this study, I plan to continue exploring the use
of the Student Response System and Peer Instruction in my science classes.